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James McCormick wrote:

Hi, guys —

I saw a man wearing a crucifix around his neck. The crucifix face was open, made of metal, and was encased in wood. It gave the appearance of being outlined in wood.

  • Does this type of crucifix have any special meaning?

Pax,

Red

  { Does this Cross/Crucifix have any special meaning? }

Mike replied:

Hi, Red —

Sorry it took a while to get back to you.

I have never seen a crucifix that was encased in wood.

It could be:

  • an ordinary crucifix where the wood is being used just to protect the crucifix, or
  • it could be a special type of relic crucifix; though people don't usually wear relics around their neck.

Maybe one of my colleagues has an idea.

Mike

Eric replied:

Red —

If it has a special meaning, it's not a well known one, since at least two of us have never heard of it and the rest haven't said anything.

Eric

Mary Ann replied:

Red,

It is probably just a crucifix with a wood border for decorative purposes. Crosses and crucifixes can be made of any material or combination of material. They don't have to be of wood.

Mary Ann

Red replied:

Thanks for everyone's kindness,

I saw him again and asked any significance. He explained it was a San Damiano crucifix with a wooden backing. He has taken vows as a Third Order Franciscan (Anglican).

He didn't know of any particular significance other than sometimes it's displayed symbolically being bound by vows but I found this on Wikipedia:

The San Damiano Cross is the large Romanesque rood cross before which St. Francis of Assisi was praying when he is said to have received the commission from the Lord to rebuild the Church. Franciscans cherish this cross as the symbol of their mission from God.

Pax,

Red

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